Appointments

Brachytherapy is a form of radiation treatment where a radioactive seed is placed in direct contact with the tumor, or areas at risk once the tumor is removed post-surgery. Currently at Wake Forest Baptist’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, HDR brachytherapy is used for treatment of various cancers, including prostate, breast, lung, cervical and nasopharynx.

Integrated Brachytherapy Unit (IBU) is a concept that integrates all aspects of brachytherapy treatment. All the steps in radiation treatment can be completed in a single, shielded room, including patient preparation, applicator insertion, imaging, treatment planning, delivery and verification. Benefits of this approach include reducing the overall treatment time for each patient, as well as better control of the entire process by our team of experienced radiation oncologists.

Brachytherapy Advanced Features

Rotating system enables unobstructed X-ray imaging from all possible directions without moving the patient. This is particularly important for patients with lung and esophageal cancers who cannot lay flat of their back.

Image data, position and angles of rotation are digitally transferred straight into treatment planning software for 3-D reconstruction purposes. This helps for better planning of the treatment.

The major advantage of HDR brachytherapy is that the final doses are known before any radiation treatment is given. Because the patient and implant position is the same as when the treatment plan was devised, the doses are accurate.

Because of the high radioactivity, the treatment time is minutes, so there is little opportunity for the implant to move and deposit radiation doses where it wasn’t intended.

HDR brachytherapy treatment courses can be from one to 10 treatments, depending on the type of cancer being treated. There are many factors your physician will consider in determining the radiation dose, and how many treatments an implant should receive.

Support Services

Cancer is a complex journey for patients and families. Before cancer, life had challenges; now they may seem insurmountable. The anxieties about health, keeping up with daily activities and maintaining important, critical relationship are common for all cancer patients and their families.

Our patient and family support services are here to help our patients so they know they have someone experienced to count on when they need it. We are here to make a difference—not just in your cancer outcome—but in the moments along the way, so you and your loved ones know there is always someone to help.

For an appointment with one of our counselors, please call 336-716-7980.

Cancer Health Equity

Insurance

Wake Forest Baptist accepts most major health insurance plans for hospital, physician and clinic services and participates in Medicare and Medicaid government programs. For more information, visit Billing and Insurance.

This chart is a list of the most common health insurance plans we accept. This list is subject to change. Please check your individual plan to confirm their participation and the coverage allowed.

Due to the different physician groups and hospitals within the Wake Forest Baptist system, physician services and hospital services are billed separately. Please remember that health insurance coverage varies, so some services may not be covered.

If you don’t see your plan or you have questions, please call our Customer Service Center at 877-938-7497. We will do our best to work with you and your plan.

Referring Physicians

At Wake Forest Baptist we understand the importance of referrals. Our Physician Liaisons partner with referring physicians in our community and beyond to provide information on our physicians and clinical services. Full list of new physicians.

Research and Clinical Trials

As part of the Comprehensive Cancer Center, our patients have access to clinical trials—investigational treatments that help advance our understanding of fighting and curing cancer. Many of these trials are only available right here at Wake Forest Baptist, and our physicians and staff will help you decide if choosing that pathway to treatment is right for you.

Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, evaluation or care from your physician or other qualified health care provider.